Code tape printer



June 2, 1942. L. M. POTTS 009E TAPE PRINTER Original-Filed July 15, 19363 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOiz LOUIS M.POTT S BY u/% ATTO EY m w. m Q II v5I 2 IN a IHI a; 5 m 58 w m I m m 5 1 w a Gu m 7 m mi. 0 mm I W w =Jun 2,1942.

FIG.4

L. M. POTTS CODE TAPE PRINTER Original Fild July 15, 1936 a Sheets-Sheetz FIG.8

INVENTO'R LOUIS M. POTTS- BY f wvn'oniY I June 2, 1942. 1.. M. POTTScom: TAPE PRINTER Original Filed July 15, 1936 3 sheets sheet 3 FIG. |.4

INVENTOR LOUIS M. POT TS 331% ATTORN Patented June 2, 1942 cons TAPEPRINTER Louis M. Potts, Evanston, Ill., assignor to TeletypeCorporation, Chicago, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Application July15, 1936, Serial No. 90,747 Renewed May 29, 1939 63 Claims.

The present invention relates to printing telegraph machines andparticularly to telegraph signal controlled apparatus for preparingcoded control forms.

In the control of automatic telegraph apparatus, such as signaltransmitters, conventionally there is employed a continuous strip ofmaterial which is'fed through a record sensing mechanism and which bearsregularly spaced transversed.

areas provided with permutably grouped markings. Perforations generallyconstitute the marking symbols and, based upon a given unit code,definite numbers of predetermined transverse areas are allocated to theoccurrence or omission of perforations. To avoid weakening the tape,consecutive codes are spaced apart a distance comparable to thatoccupied by a row of perforations so that thecveri-all length of a stripof tape exceeds by an appreciable amount the sum of the longitudinalarea actuallyoccupieol by code legends. In devices controlled by thestrip, feeler levers are'presented in alignment, and in accordanoe Witha strip feeding mechanism are simultaneously applied and withdrawn tothe transverse areas of the strip, sensing, as they do so, the conditionof eachv area simultaneously andcommunicating a corresponding reading toone of a plurality of signal transfer devices whence the selections aremanifest.

In accordance'with a system of tape control, the perforated tape hasbeen replaced with a tape wherein the code markings abut each other,thereby utilizing all of the tape length for the purpose of supportingcode markings and the tape is not weakened. Apparatusresponsive to suchmarkings may be equipped with photoelectric sensing means and signaltranslating apparatus for converting the sensed conditions intomechanical selections as is done in the case of perforated control formsystems; United States application, Serial No. 48,098, filed November 4,1935, features a photo-electric transmitter which is, designed torespond to a control form having markings generally similar to themarkings contemplated in accordance with an embodiment of thepresentinvention.

Accordingly an object; of the present invention isthe development of astrip marking mechanism responsive to telegraphic line signals forinstalling corresponding permutative distributions all) an electricmotor which is continuously driven throughout the period of operationand which imparts a continuous rotation through a, frictionallyyieldable driving connection to an operating shaft which is synchronizedby a cyclic intervening stop mechanism serving to arrest the shaftmomentarily at the end of each cycle and to release it at the start of asucceeding cycle. The start and stop supervision of said operating shaftis performed in a manner conventional to startstop principle ofoperation well known in the art of printing telegraph apparatus. One

driven branch of the mechanism is carried by the shaft and supports adriving worm which through a train of reduction gears, imparts acontinuous and regular motion contemporaneously with each cycle to atape feed sprocket whose teeth are adapted to align with and be receivedwithin a central row of perforations provided in the control form. Theoperating shaft also carries a pair of cam members one of which retractsan armature lever for the purpose of mechanically augmenting themagnetic attrac-' tion of its operating winding which responds toincoming telegraph signals; The assistance thus extended to the signalmagnet armature minimizes the current requirement by making it necessaryto provide only a small holding current instead of one sufilcient to setup a magnetic flux to attract the armature from its unattractedposition.

Another cam driven by the operating shaft acts to relieve spring tensionnormally imparted by a stop arm during a cyclic interval following theoperating shaft stop or zero position. Still an-' other cam. also drivenby said operating shaft is provided with a series of cam projections forintermittently loading the printing hammer actuating spring and forreleasing the hammer dur-, ing measured intervals to the selectiveinfluence of an operated blocking arm integrally associated with thearmature of the selector magnet. An orientation mechanism is arranged inlongitudinal alignment with the operating shaft and is provided withmeans for radially'varying the zero position thereof in order to permitof a phase adjustment;

iii)

of marks in regularly spaced areas of a web. of

material;

Briefly, theappanatus for the accomplishment of the above and otherobjects-of invention comprises a compact and unitary structure having Atape supply compartment mounted at one side ofthe unit has an opening ina peripheral wall thereof through which the blank form provided with acentral row of feed perforations is threaded and whence it continuesaround a slack take-up roller and then over a printing bed beneath whichthe printing hammer is pivotally supported and above which there ispresented a print wheel comprised of a cylindrical head studded with ahelical arrangement of print projections or lugs. The print wheel ismounted on one extremity of the operating shaft and its printingprojections or markers are continuously in contact with an ink supplyroller.

For a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the presentinvention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and to thedescription following hereinafter in which like reference charactersindicate corresponding parts and in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of atape printing apparatus featuring the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view similar to Fig. 1 but having the coverof the enclosure removed in order to reveal the interior of the device;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the portion of the mechanismand is taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken approximately on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan section taken approximately on line 6-6 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view with parts broken away takenapproximately on line 'I? of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view taken approximately on line 8-8 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view featuring the print wheel and inkingmechanism also illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the mechanism and is takenapproximately on line I0'l0 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of an orientation apparatus suchas featured in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 12 is an illustration featuring a fragment of tape and adevelopment of its associated type wheel;

Fig. 13 is an illustration of a modified type of printed control tapeand a development of its associated type wheel;

Fig. 14 is an illustration of another modified type of control tape anda development of its associated type wheel; and

Fig. 15 is a detail view in side elevation of a print wheel and itsassociated trip hammer control cam.

Referring more specifically to the accompanying drawings, the referencecharacter I I indicates an enclosure concealing an operating motor I2,

Fig. 4, whose rotor shaft is vertically supported and carries at itsupper extremity a driving worm I3, Figs. 3 and 5, which meshes with adriven worm wheel I4 idly supported upon a transversely extending shaftI5 referred to hereinafter as the main operating shaft. The motionimparted to worm wheel I4 is communicated through the medium of adjacentfriction discs I6 to a flange I'I anchored by means of a set screw I8 toshaft I5 and also to a floating disc I9 which is urged longitudinally bya helical spring 2I, clamping driven wheel I4, and friction discs I6between itself and the anchored flange I I. The periphery of disc I6 isshaped to afford two distinct cam portions indicated 22 and 23, thecontours of which are best revealed in Fig. 10. Cam 22 func tions torelieve the pressure of the start-stop bell crank lever I5, to bedescribed hereinafter, from the armature 49, while cam 23 serves toaugment the line signal magnet by returning the selector armature to itsattracted position before the arrival of each signal interval, and willbe referred to hereinafter as the armature assisting cam. One end ofcoil spring 2! is embedded within a box recess in disc I9, while itsother end thrusts against an end flange formed with a collar 24 keyed orotherwise secured to shaft I5.

As indicated in Fig. 4, set screw I8 serves to anchor flange I I andalso to secure to shaft I5 a sleeve 25 upon whose periphery there isformed the helix which constitutes a driving worm 26 for propelling atape feed sprocket I 61. Another sleeve is formed integral with a printhammer loading cam 28 and supports a print wheel 21 or roller having ahelical distribution of print lugs 29. Print wheel 21 is secured toshaft I5 by means of an end nut 3i drawing it firmly against the endsurface of sleeve 25 and rendering the assembly integral with operatingshaft I5. The surfaces of the print lugs 26 are supplied with ink bymeans of a continuously engaging ink supply roller IiI which is springtensioned against the peripheries of portions 3334 of print wheel 21.The ink supply roller III is prevented from contacting certain areas ofthe cylinders 33 or 34 which intervene the marker lugs 29 by anadjustable stop screw III! which is threaded into an ear struck from theframe end wall.

An embodiment of the print wheel is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 9 inwhich the lugs 29 are arranged in a single helical alignment. In thisform ,each of the lugs 29 is in angular alignment with one of the triphammer cam notches 32 (Fig. 7) to accommodate a conventional six-unitcode, while the type wheel unit is longitudinally divided into twoportions indicated 33 and 34 with a recessed space intervening.

Since the print wheel 2! is provided with six lugs 29, the print hammercam 28 associated therewith is correspondingly provided with six notches32. From this it will be understood that Where there is contemplated abasic unit code varying from the illustrated example, the lugs 29 andnotches 32 will vary accordingly.

The print hammer featured in Figs. 4, 6, and '7 comprises a horizontallysupported yoke pivoted at 36 upon a pintle block 31. One arm indicated38 carries at its extremity the hammer head 39 which extendstransversely the full distance traversed by the several projections 29.Another arm 4I parallels substantially the first mentioned arm 38 andterminates with an upwardly extending tooth 42 arranged to follow theperiphery of print hammer cam 28. The yoke is influenced by theretractile spring 43 articulated to arm 4I, Figs. 6 and 8, and suspendedfrom a support 45. Intermediate the extremity of arm 4| and its pivotpoint 36 there is formed a sidewardly extending lug 46 which, as the arm4| is reciprocated, moves into the path normally occupied by the heel41, Fig. 7, of an arm 48 which is integrally formed with an armaturebail 49 pivoted upon an opposite pair of trunnion screws 5|. Thearmature bail 49 comprises a portion 52 extending above the magneticfield of a signal controlled electromagnet 53 and an arm 54 to whichthere is hooked one end of a retractile spring 55, the other end ofwhich is anchored to a guide plate 56 secured to a rigid structure ofthe print apparatus, Fig. 8.

In response to signal impulses received over an incoming line, thewinding of magnet 53 is energized to attract armature 49. The movementimparted to armature 49 which pivots about the trunnion screws ismanifest by a corresponding movement of. bail arm 48, Fig. 7, so thatheel 41 is withdrawn from the path of lug 4t during the intervals whenmagnet 53 is energized and presented into the path thereof during theremaining intervals or when magnet 53 is deenergized. Thus it will beseen that when a notch 32 is presented opposite tooth 42, the retractilespring 55 tends to rock print hammer bail Eli-4i j clockwise about thepivot 36, but that this movement may be permitted only when the magnetis energized, withdrawing the heel 4! from the path of lug 46.Otherwise, the clearance afforded by notch 32 to the tooth 42 is to noavail, since the stroke of hammer 39 is yet impaired by the interventionof heel 41. The time intervals in which signal impulses for energizingmagnet 53 are anticipated coincide with the instants when notches32 moveopposite projection 42 of the print hammer yoke. Accordingly, when amark ing (or current) signal is received, the print hammer is releasedbecause of the withdrawal of heel 41, but when a spacing (no-current)signal is received, the print hammer is restrained.

The timing of main operating shaft l5, in order to assure its radialalignment in synchronism with a correspondingtransmitter shaft, iseffected by a start-stop control mechanism cated at the end opposite thetype wheel 21. Here, it will be noted, thereis secured a bushing 5'!which carries integrally an arm 58, Figs. 4 and 11, having a sidewardlyextending lug 59 which may revolve freely except at one interval in itscycle during which lug 59 may encounter 1.:

smallshoulder 5!, formed with a bell crank 62, pivoted on a screw 63 andurged by a spring 64 clockwise as viewed in Fig, 11. Another arm 65,

formed with-bell crank 62, presents a shoulder 65 into the path of acooperating shoulder 61 of a first-class lever 58 pivoted on pin H in ayoke block 58. An opposite arm 12 of lever 58 is influencedcounterclockwise by an expansion spring l3 in axial alignment with theprincipal operating shaft I 5. Opposing spring 13 and also in axialalignment with shaft I 5 there engages a disc formation M of an arm 15pivoted at 1B and constituting part of a bell crank lever bestillustrated in Figv l, which has a horizontal arm 11, the extremity ofwhich terminates with a lobe 18 located beneath an overhanging portion79 integrally formed with an extension arm 3! of armature bail t9, seeespecially Figs. 4, '7, and

i 10. Below the overlying portion 19 there is a follower tooth 82terminating arm M, which rides the periphery of the multiple apexcam 23described above. Apices 83 of cam 23 are 'designed to engage the tooth82 successively and lit at time intervals shortly in advance of thepeture portion 53 and rendering a holding current,

which may be relatively small, suiiicient to effectively operate thevarious functions of the magnet 53. There is attained in this manner anemciency in current requirement rendering the device more responsive toweaker signals than would be possible were the armature portion 52continuously maintained with a normal space in- T tion, as viewed inFig. 11.

angular plate 85 is the yoke block 59 so that the pivotal movement ofsaid plate 85 about center 86 resultsin angular displacement of theseveral elements which ultimately control the angular position ofshoulder 5| with respect to arm 58, and hence the orientation of thestop member 62 of shaft 15. Tosecure plate 85 after having determinedits properangular'position,

there is provided an auxiliary plate 88 which,

through the in'strumentality of the thumb screw 89, may be made to bindbetween it and plate 85, the intervening wall section 87.

.During the major portion of the cycle of shaft 15, the controlsupervision of bell crank 15-11 has no purpose because arm 58 is intransit, but as the arm 58 approaches its Zero position when its lug 59is about to encounter shoulder 6!, the depressing of hell crank 'l5-'l1by the signal controlled armature 49 acting through lever 58 unlatchesbail 62, rendering it yieldable in a counterclockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 11, to be overcome by the lug 59 as it collides with theshoulder 5!. Upon the occurrence of marking condition in the line duringthe interval of the.

stop cycle, magnet 53 is energized and overlying portion 19 is withheldfrom engaging bell crank 15-". This permits lever 68 under influence ofspring 13 to lie in itsnormal position whereat shoulder 61 squarelyengages its cooperating shoulder 65 of ball 62 and prevents the latterfrom being rotated in a counterclockwise direc- Since the normal or idleline condition conventionally employed in telegraph signal transmissionis that of current or closed line condition, it will be understood thatthe starting of the cycle is contingent upon the receipt of a startimpulse consisting of an open line condition.

It'is desirable to minimize the counter-influence of spring 73 actingthrough hell crank 1511 and lever 9 upon armature 49 during the signalportion of each cycle while code impulses are received. For this purposethere is provided the aforementioned companion cam 22 whose contour isbest seen in Fig. 10. Against the pe riphery of this cam there ispresented a follower projection '52 which terminates one arm 92 of athree armed lever 94--95 pivoted at 93. Arm 95 merely provides ananchorage for the return spring 95 which is fastened to a stationaryportion of the supporting structure, but arm 94 overlies arm ll as bestviewed in Fig. 4. The apex of the cam 22 is continuous and extendsthrough the signal portion of the cycle of shaft l5. Through lever 9455,bell crank l5Tl is depressed and withheld from the influence of theoverlying portion l9 except during a short interval in anticipation ofthe stop or zero position whereat the apex of cam 22 recedes, permittingspring 96 to rock lever G lso as to withhold arm 94 from depressing bellcrank l5ll.

Worm 28 transmits power for moving the tape E35 through and across theprinting area which corresponds to a transverse line, whereat hammer 38engages the several projections 29. Referring now to Fig. 5, it will benoted that worm 2B drives a worm wheel 5! with which there is integrallyformed a driving worm 98, the two elements constituting an integralsleeve freely rotatable upon a vertical shaft 99. A driven worm Iengages driving worm 98 and it, in turn, is secured to a sprocket feedshaft I62 pivoted at its ends within the upstanding ears I03 and I04 ofa bracket I95 that is fixed upon the floor plate I06. Opposite the endof shaft I02 which carries driven worm IOI, there is secured a sprocketfeed wheel I01 whose periphery is studded'with a radial alignment ofpins I08 rounded and spaced to'coincide with the feed perforations E9 ofthe control form I35 (Fig. 12) The movement imparted to the tape I35 isconstant and regular during printing operation whereas the conventionalperforated tape feed apparatus employs intermittent or step-by-step tapefeed mechanism.

By observing Figs. 3 to and '7, it will be noted that worm 26 drivescontinuously worm wheel 9?,

the latters integrally associated driving worm 98, and through it thedriven worm IOI which, through shaft I02, is integrally associated withthe sprocket feed wheel I07. This reduction in driving ratio, which isafforded by the use of the two sets of worm gears, is designed so thatfor each rotation of sleeve which, as has been said, is integrallyassociated with. the print wheel 21, there may be imparted a definiteangular rotation to the sprocket wheel IB'I which may conform in someproportion to the angular distance between two or more of the radialalignments of tape feed pins I08. This relationship is obtainable forthe purpose of subsequently establishing a similar relationship betweenthe occurrence of the feed holes I09 and the code markings asillustrated in Figs. 12 to 14. However, the maintenance of this drivingratio between shaft I02 and shaft I5 as a whole number is essential onlytowards the purpose of relating the perforations I09 to the codemarkings. Conceivably, this relationship may be made in terms of a mixednumber ratio. Tape prepared in accordance with the illustratedarrangement is particularly adapted to the control of photo-electricdevices such as the transmitter disclosed in 00- pending applicationSerial No. 48,098.

Due to the continuous movement of the tape I while the markers 29 aresuccessively engaged at printing, there is obtained a slight inclinationin the transverse tape markings, as best indicated in Fig. 12. Thiscondition may be recognized as a normal and desirable one, and the tapesensing mechanism may be reconciled thereto; that is, where, forexample, photo-electric scanning means is employed, the inclinedtransverse areas may be sensed in accordance with the angle ofinclination. Where, however, it is preferable to employ straight line orperpendicular rows of perforations, it will be herewith shown how theinclined markings may be readily modified.

Referring now to Fig. 15, attention is directed to the constructionlines indicated II2 to III, which pass radially through the centers ofthe print lugs II8 to I23. In this case, as contrasted with the practicedisclosed in the preferred embodiment, the occurrence of the cam spaces32 are at variance; that is, the foremost or leading space 32 is inadvance of the construction line I I! by several degrees, causing theprint hammer 39 to be released before the exact interval at which theprojection I 23 comes squarely into alignment. The next space 32 is alsoin advance of the center line IIS of lug I22, but to a lesser degree. Inthis manner, each succeeding space 32 is located a few degrees back ofits center line. As a result of the arrangement shown in Fig. 15, theremay be produced a record such as that shown in Fig. 14. The adjustmentis brought about by releasing the print hammer earlier during theinitial signal intervals and later during the final ones, therebyavoiding the characteristic effect upon the transverse markings due tothe movement of the tape during the print operations.

Because there is permitted a much closer or more compact arrangement ofmarkings in accordance with the present invention than was feasibleheretofore, it has been observed that the feed perforations I69 need notbe provided for each row of markings. The number of perforations should,nevertheless, bear an integral relationship to the number of rows ofcode markings.

In Fig. 13, it will be noted that the code markings have beenconcentrated so as to occupy but one-half of the transverse tape area.Primarily, it will be noted that as a result of this practice, aconsiderable saving is effected in the amount of surface requisite tothe reproduction of code symbols. For the production of tape having thisclass of marking there may be employed a type wheel such as thatillustrated in Fig. 13, in which the primary and conventionallypositioned lugs 29 occur in their normal positions but the secondarylugs I32 are grouped in the same radial alignment, as distinguished fromthe continuous helical alignment featured in the preferred embodiment ofFigs. 13 and 14. The marks are grouped within a more concentrated areaby the use of this type of print wheel and may be read by a scanningapparatus having a more centralized scanning medium.

Either a separate or an embodied tape perforating mechanism may beprovided for installing the perforations I89 in tape I35, but inaccordance with the preferred embodiment, the tape is preferablyperforated with feed holes and is supported within a cylindrical housingI36 having an end cover plate I3! removable so as to permitreplenishment of the tape. Since the housing I36 is located at rightangles to the printing mechanism, there is provided a slack roller I38which is pivoted at I39 and which adapts itself universally, due to theresilience of the pivot support post I4I.

The tape I35, after threading around roller I30, continues over a bedplate I42 where it is tensioned by a pair of spring arms 43 carried by abracket HM which is rotatable for adjustment about a pivot I45 andsecured thereat by screw I45. This affords means for varying the tensionof spring arms I43. After traversing the printing area, the tape I 35emerges, passing under the guide It! which straddles the teeth I08 offeed wheel I07. To clear the teeth I00 when initially introducing thetape beneath the guide I47, the latter may be rotated about pivot I48 bymeans of a crank arm I49 integrally formed with the guide I41, but aspring I5I normally tends to urge the assembly counterclockwise, asviewed in Fig. 9.

While the present invention has been explained and described havingparticular reference to a specific embodiment and exemplarymodification, it will be understood that numerous changes may beinstituted within the contemplation of the present invention.Accordingly the foregoing specification and the accompanying drawingsare not to constitute limitations of the present invention, except asindicated by the hereinafter appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a retatable member having on itseriphery an arrangement of code printing elements, a device for feedinga webof material across a printing area in the proximity of said member,and means comprising a device rotatedin timed relation with said memberand an actuator responsive to signal impulses for effecting printingengagement between said code printing elements and said web of materialat said printing area selectively a plurality of times during eachrotation of said member.

2. The combination set forth in'claim 1, in

which said device comprises an arrangement of rotatable control means,each related to and substantially in line with one of said code printingelements and arranged with intervening space intervals differing fromthe space intervals of corresponding ones of said control elements.

3. In a telegraph apparatus, a start-stop controlled shaft, acylindrical type member having a helical arrangement of printing lugs onits L 4. In a mechanism for preparinga control form having transverserows of permutation code markings comprising a start-stop control shaft,a helical arrangement of printing elements carried by said shaft, and astriker for bringing a web of printing material into contactualengagement with said elements including spring means tending normally tourge said striker into engagement withsaid type elements, and a camcarried by said shaft having peripheral recesses for determining'theactuatinginstants of oper ation of said striker.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 in.

which said cam has a plurality of equally spaced recesses correspondingin number to the number of said elements but arranged peripherally withthe foremost recess preceding its associated printing element by apredetermined angular distance and the rearmost recess trailing itsassociated type element by a predetermined angular distance.

6. In a start-stop telegraph apparatus, a main operating shaft, a magnethaving an armature disposed to arrest said shaft in a zero position,means carried by said shaft for making control markings on a web ofmaterial, a striker cooperating with said means, and striker trippingmeans carried by aid shaft under the control of said magnet forselectively releasing said striker a plurality of times during a cycleof rotation of said shaft.

'7. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a startstop control shaft, acylindrical carrier of markers associated with said shaft, a printhammer cooperating with said carrier, spring means for urging said printhammer into association with said carrier, and signal controlled meansresponsive to a plurality of impulses during each cycle of rotation ofsaid shaft for permitting saidprint hammer to engage said type carrier aplurality of times.

8. A telegraph apparatus for marking permu tatively upon a control formcomprising a shaft having cyclic rotation, a carrier having a pluralityof markers, means carried by said shaft for printing with each of saidmarkers successively during a cycle, and a telegraph signal controlledmeans for disabling said printing means during the printing ofpredetermined markers.

9. A telegraph apparatus for marking permutatively upon a control form,comprising a shaft having cyclic rotation, a carrier associated withsaid shaft having a plurality of markers, a print hammer having printingengagement with'said markers, and means including an. electromagnetresponsive to an electrical impulse received over a line for selectivelybarring the engagement of said hammer with certain of said markers.

10. In a printing telegraph mechanism, a rotatable member having aperipheral arrange,- ment of printing elements, a device for feeding aweb of material through the proximity of the printing locus of saidrotatable member at'a constant rate of motion, means for effectingprinting engagement between said elements and said web of material atsaid printing locus selectively during cyclic rotation of said rotatablemember ineluding a trip cam rotatable with said member, a striker, andelectromagnetic means for selectively releasing said striker to theexclusive control of said trip cam.

11. In a printing telegraph apparatus for preparing a control form withtransverse rows of code group markings, a type wheel having a spiralarrangement of printing elements, a hammer in longitudinal alignmentwith said type, spring urged into engagement therewith, a cam followerassociated with said hammer, a cam having aplurality of peripheraldepressions into which said follower is received thereby releasingsaidhamme'r, a blocking arm for preventing movement of said hammer, andan electromagnet under the control of line signals for selectivelypresenting and withdrawing said blocking member.'

12. In a start-stop telegraph system, a type wheel having a plurality ofparallel helical arrangements of type elements, a hammer pivoted andspring urged into engagement longitudinally with said type wheel, meansfor moving said hammer in opposition to its spring a plurality of timesduring each start-stop cycle, and signal control means for selectivelyreleasing said hammer to the influence of its said spring in cooperationwith said moving means;

13. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a

. printing member, a rotatable control device having member when bothsaid rotatable device and a ing attributes for permitting the operationof said printing member at predetermined intervals during its rotation,signal control means for supervising the operation of said printingmemberin collaboration with said rotatable device in accordance withtelegraph signals received over a line, and means for operating saidprintsaid signal controlled means are presented in permissive condition.

14. In a telegraph printing apparatus, means for moving a strip ofmaterial having equally spaced attributes longitudinally thereof foraligning and feeding said material through a printing none, means tomake permutative code marks on the surface of said material during the.

time that it is in motion, and gearing for asso- 1 member intoengagement with said material a plurality of times during each movementinterval, and print initiating adjusted means to compensate for thedisplacement of said material during the several printing engagements ofan interval resulting from the movement of said material.

16. In a printing telegraph system, a printing mechanism comprising ashaft, a carrier associated with said shaft, having a plurality ofperipherally arranged markers, a sprocket wheel for advancing a printingtape, gear means carried by said shaft for rotating said sprocket wheel,and start-stop means associated with said shaft for bringing to restsaid shaft and said sprocket wheel cyclically and for releasing them ata definite starting interval so as to maintain a constant phase relationbetween the start impulse of a signal, the movement of said tape, andthe operation period of said printing mechanism.

17. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a member having a plurality ofprinting markers, means for imparting cyclic rotation to said member, aprinting hammer, means for bringing said hammer in engagement with saidmember a variable plurality of times during each cyclic rotation of saidmember, and a device responsive to telegraph signals for interceptingthe movement of said hammer selectively.

18. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a cylindrical carrier of printingmarkers, a member for feeding record receiving material, start-stopmeans for controlling said carrier cyclically, and means to maintainconstant the relation between the angular position of said carrier andthe position of said record feeding member.

19. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a startstop controlled shaft,including a signal controlled start magnet operative to release saidshaft cyclically, an armature associated with said magnet fiuctuated inaccordance with line signals communicated to said magnet, a rotatableprinting member driven by said shaft, and a print hammer under thecontrol of said armature for cooperating with said member.

20. The combination set forth in claim 19, including rotatable means forloading and releasing said print hammer a plurality of times during eachcycle and in timed relation to the elements of a permutative codesignal.

21. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a cylindrical carrier of printmarkers, a tape feed mechanism, a print hammer for engaging with saidcarrier markers the surface of a strip of printing material, a magnetand armature responsiveto line signal, and an operating shaft forrotating said carrier, for actuating said tape feed apparatus and formoving said print hammer under the cyclic control of said armature.

22. The combination set forth in claim 21, including a mechanicalarmature restoring device carried by said shaft for returning saidarmature to its magnet held position a plurality of times during eachcycle. I

23. An automatically controlled printing machine including a rotatableshaft having a spiral arrangement of printing elements, a movable platenfor cooperating with any of said elements during each rotation of saidshaft, and means for determining the instants during the rotation ofsaid printing elements when said platen is to be permitted to engageeach element comprising a member carried by said shaft having a seriesof permissive clearances in axial correspondence with said printingelements, and a member associated with said platen having a portionreceivable in said permissive clearances.

24. An automatically controlled printing machine including a rotatableshaft having peripherally thereof an arrangement of printing elements, amovable platen for cooperating with said elements selectively duringeach rotation of said shaft, means for moving a material for receivingprinting impressions at a constant rate, means for determining theinstants during the rotation of said printing element when said platenis to be permitted to come into engagement with divers ones of saidelements comprising a member carried by said shaft having a series ofpermissive clearances in axial correspondence with said printingelements, and a member associated with said platen receivable in saidpermissive clearances.

25. In a telegraphically controlled code printer, a cyclically rotatableshaft having a series of peripherally arrangned printing elements and amember having peripherally thereof a series of permissive clearancesdistributed angularly about said shaft in a relationship with respect tosaid printing elements so that earlier ones in said series of permissiveclearances precede in axial alignment their associated printing elementsand later ones in said series succeed in axial alignment theirassociated printing elements, means for moving at a constant rate amaterial for receiving printing impressions from said printing elements,said permissive clearances distributed in a retrogressive sequence sothat the difference between the said series of clearances and saidseries of printing elements in terms of said material corresponds to'the linear travel of said material in accordance with its constant rateof movement.

26. An automatically controlled printing machine including a rotatablecarrier of printing members, a printing hammer, and means for actuatingsaid hammer a plurality of times during each revolution of said carrierincluding power means for urging said hammer into engagement with saidcarrier, an element rotatable with said carrier having permissiveclearances substantially in axial alignment with said printing members,and signal controlled means for permitting or preventing the receptionof said hammer into said clearances.

27. The method of operating a printing hammer selectively and underautomatic supervision which comprises tensioning said hammercontinuously in the direction of printing engagement, camming saidhammer away from printing engagement a plurality of times during a givenprinting cycle which times intervene successive printing intervals of acycle, presenting permissive clearances to said hammer during saidtimes, and under the supervision of control signals permitting thereception of said hammer into said permissive clearances under thecontrol of a selectively withdrawable blocking me dium.

28. In a telegraph printing mechanism, a series of printing elementsspirally arranged upon a cylindrical supporteach representing an elementof a, permutation code, and means to actuate said printing elements toprint a permutation code pattern for representing a character by thecomposite operation of said printing elements. I

29. Means to print under automatic supervision apermutation code patterncomprising a plurality of printing elements corresponding in number andeach allocated to one of the permutation lements of a signal code, meansfor rotating said elements continuously, and a printing platen forcooperating with divers ones of said printing elements during rotation.

30. In a start-stop printing mechanism in which a printing cycle iscomprised of a sequence of intervals each related to 'a preassigned ordinal of a code system, the combination of a plurality of printingelements, an operating shaft having start-stop cyclic rotation, andsignal controlled means for releasing said shaft for rotation cyclicallyand for selecting during each cycle said printing elements for printingoperation permutably.

31. In a telegraph printing apparatus, a startstop shaft frictionallydriven for cyclic rotation, o a releasable arresting device forcontrolling the rotation of said shaft, a. printing mechanism includingmeans for effecting aplurality: of'printing operations during each'cycleof rotation of saidv shaft, and a single control magnet responsive topermutation code signals for supervising said arresting device and fordetermining the periods of operation of said printing mechanism. i

32. In a telegraphically controlled printing apparatus, a rotatableprinting member having a plurality of printing impressions thereon, aplaten for cooperating with said impressions to produce print markingson a tape, a device having a plurality of permissive clearancescircumferentially arranged for determining the precise interval duringwhich said platen may cooperate with said printing impressions, andsignal controlled means for supervising the operation of said platen.

33. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a rotatableprinting member, aplaten for cooperating with said member to produce printing marks upon atape, an interfering member acting in timed relation with saidrotatable, printing memher, and a signal controlled apparatus opera-,

tive jointly with said interfering member for selectively determiningthe operation of said printing platen.

34, In a printing telegraph apparatus, a type carrier, a printingmechanism for cooperating with said type carrier toproduce printingimpressions upon a record {receiving material, a start-stop shafthavingcyclic operation, means for permitting saidprinting mechanism and typecarrier to cooperate a predetermined maximum number of times during eachcycle, and supervised means for making printing impressions with saidprinting mechanism in accordance with a permutation code.

35. The combination set forth in claim 34 in mechanism into operativerelation with said typ carrier.

36. Ina telegraph printing apparatus, means for moving a strip ofmaterial having equally to permutation code signals each composed of thesame numberof elementary signal intervals, a plurality of printing faceseach corresponding to one of said signal intervals, and

means to make visual code patterns upon the surface of a tape with saidprinting faces corresponding perniutably to the 'character of saidsignal intervals.

.38. In a telegraph printing mechanism for preparing a control-formwithtransverse rows of code markings, a plurality of printingfaces eachallocated to a printing position in said transverse rows, and a singlemagnet selector for supervising the operation of any of said printingfaces.

39. In a printingtelegraph apparatus, a ro-.

tatable printing memb-er'ha'ving' a plurality of preassigned angles ofrotation allocated toeach element of apermutation code, a print hammerfor cooperating with said member, and a signal controlled means fordetermining the effectiveness of said hammer after the rotation of saidmember through each of said angles of rotation.

40. In a printing telegraph apparatus, a rotatable printing memberhaving a definite number of preassigned angles of rotation allocated toeach element of a permutation code, a print hammer for cooperating Withsaid member, and a signal controlled means for determining theeffectiveness of said hammer during each of said preassigned angles ofrotation of said member.

41. A printing telegraph apparatus comprising a print hammer, rotarymeans for oscillatwhich said means for permitting said mechaing saidprint hammer in accordance with a constant rhythmic frequency, andsignal controlled means for selectively interfering with the vibrationsof said hammer for, thereby producing a printed pattern portraying thecontrol signals of a line.

42. A printing telegraph apparatus ccmpris-- ing a print hammer, locallypowered mechanical means for oscillating said print hammer in accordancewith a predetermined constant frequenc'y, and electrically controlledmeans for modulating said oscillations.

43. In a printing telegraph system, a receiving station apparatusresponsive to permutation code signals comprising a receiving relay, atype carrier, a hammer for said type carrier, a locally poweredoscillator for setting up measured rhythmic vibrations in said hammer,and means under the control of said relay for modulating said hammervibrations and for thereby producing a corresponding printed pattern bythe cooperation of said hammer with said type car.- rier.

44. In a telegraphprinting apparatus, a prin v line for varying theamplitude of said oscillations and for thereby preventing printingengement of said hammer to form thereby a visual pattern in accordancewith the control signals.

45. In a percussion printing apparatus, a tape feed mechanism, aplurality of type elements, a platen to be brought into engagement withsaid elements for printing on a tape, a source of rotary power foroperating said feed mechanism and for bringing said platen and typeelements into printing engagement, and a positive driving train forcommunicating power from said source to said platen and said feedmechanism at a fixed speed ratio.

46. In a device for recording grouped code markings comprised of varyingcombinations of elements relating to a fundamentally uniform code, aplurality of recording elements corresponding in number to the totalnumber of elements of said uniform code, each element having apreassigned position in a code area of a record receiving material, andmeans to move said material into printing engagement with varying onesof said elements to produce a printed pattern for supervisory control.

4'7. In a printer for producing permutative code patterns suitable forautomatic control supervision, a plurality of type faces each assignedto a component position of an equal unit area, and means to makeprintingimpressions with said type faces in accordance with apreassigned code.

48. In a printing system for producing permutation code signals eachcomposed of a uniform number of elementary signal components, aplurality of printing faces each face corresponding to one of saidsignal components, and means to make visual code patterns upon thesurface of control forms with said printing faces correspondingpermutably to preassigned characters.

49. In a printing telegraph system, the combination with a type wheeland printing means, of operating means which attempts to actuate saidprintingmeans to print all the characters on said Wheel in successionupon a single rotation thereof, a line circuit, and means controlledover said line circuit for rendering said operating means ineffective inrespect of any desired number of said characters.

50. In a printing telegraph system, a rotatable type Wheel having aplurality of characters, a cam having actuating surfaces equal in numberto said characters, said cam being rotatable with said wheel, printingmeans adapted to be controlled by said cam, a line circuit and magnetcontrolled thereover as each cam actuating surface comes to operativeposition, and means controlled by said magnet for determining in thecase of each said actuating surfaces whether the said printing meansresponds or not.

51. In a printing telegraph system, the combination, with a type wheeland printing means, of a reciprocating member, means for operating saidmember as many times during each rotation of said Wheel as there arecharacters on the wheel, means whereby said member may actuate saidprinting means, a line circuit, and mechanism controlled over said linecircuit for rendering said last means effective or ineffective upon eachoperation of said member.

52. A code character typing machine comprising a set of printing faceelements, a percussion device for contacting said printing face elementsto produce printing impressions on a tape, automatic means for preparingsaid percussive device for operation at predetermined intervals solely,and signal controlled means for releasing said percussive device atpredetermined ones of said intervals.

53. A method of printing which comprises moving a series of componentssequentially through a printing locus, conditioning a striking elementfor printing operation coincident with the attainment of said printinglocus by each of said components, and selectively releasing the strikerelement to produce permutatively a printed code pattern.

54. In a printing telegraph system, the combination with amulti-print-element wheel and printing means, of operating means whichattempts to actuate said printing means to print all the print elementon said wheel in succession upon a single rotation thereof, a linecircuit, and means controlled over said line circuit for rendering saidoperating means ineffective in respect of any of said print elements.

55. In a printing telegraph system, a rotary type element carrier, a camhaving actuating surfaces equal in number to that of the type elementsof said carrier, said cam being rotatable with said carrier, printingmeans adapted to be controlled by said cam, a magnet responsive to linesignals as each of said cam surfaces comes to operative position, andmeans controlled by said magnet for determining in the case of each ofsaid actuating surfaces whether said printing means responds or not.

56. In a signal controlled device for making groups of supervisoryindicia on record receiving material in accordance with a signal code, arotatable power shaft, coupling means responsive to initiating signalsfor cyclically connecting said shaft to a prime mover, a plurality ofindicia making members each associated with a component of a signalingcode, means carried by said shaft for conditioning for operation each ofsaid indicia making members, a signal responsive de-. vice forpermitting or preventing the operation of each of said indicia makingmembers, and power means for operatin permitted ones of said members.

57. A machine for making control indicia on a paper strip comprising aset of indicia making elements each relating to a signal component of acode, a rotary means carrying a set of cams each for conditioning anassociated one of said indicia making elements, an electromagneticallysupervised interponent responsive by blocking or avoiding disposition toaccordingly prevent or permit the operation of each of said indiciamaking elements, and power operating means for actuating each of saidelements individually and sequentially in a cycle.

58. In an apparatus for making code indicia transversely of a paperstrip, an alignment of elements each capable of making a code-componentindication, spring means for operating each element, a cam projectionfor restoring each element in opposition to its spring means, and anelectromagnet responsive to line signals for accordingly permitting orpreventing the operation of each element depending upon thecharacteristic of its related signal component.

59. In a signal controlled device for making controlling indications ona record receiving material, means to make each component indication onthe record material in immediate response to its associated signalelement on a line including an indicia making means for each componentof a code, an electromagneticallysupervised deter: mining member forsaid means, and apparatus to regulate the control instant of each signalcomponent to a limited central portion of each signal element withrespect to its allotted time interval. l

60. In a signal controlled recording apparatus, a rotatable member, adistributing means comprising conditioning elements rotatable insynchronism with incoming line signal components,

and multiple recording means regulated by said distributing means andresponsive instantly and respectively to associated signal components.

61. In an apparatus for recording on tape under the supervision ofpermutation code-signals, a set of recording elements each identifiedwith a code signal component, a set of rotary means for determining theinstants in a cycle for actuating each of said elements, and a signalresponsive media for enabling the operation of each of said elements attheir respective instants.

62. In an apparatus for recording on control forms supervisoryindications in transverse alignments,,a, set of indication makers eachidentified with a component interval of a code signal, a correspondingset of actuators for said indication makers, apparatus for impartingmotion mechanically to said actuatorsindividually and se 7 lectivelyunder the control of code signal condi tions to record the signalconditions on the form,

. and means for advancing the form following each alignment recording. 7

63. In a machine for reproducing permutation codes, a plurality ofindividual reproducing elements each related to a. code component, meansresponsive to each signal code component for actuating its associatedreproducing element in accordance with the code component sequence, anda device for centering the instant of response of each of said elementswith respect to its associated code component whereby the signal con- 20ditions are recorded sequentially on a form.

LOUIS M. POTTS.

